SMC eyes Sangley semicon hub

Foods, drinks and infrastructure conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC) wants to build a manufacturing hub in Sangley, Cavite, as the local government struggles to get its $10-billion international airport project off the ground.

Ramon S. Ang, president of SMC, told the Inquirer that the project will focus on manufacturing semiconductors, essential components in electronic devices that are in high demand amid a global shortage of microchips.

“It’s an export processing zone [for] manufacturing of semiconductors,” Ang said, adding that the conglomerate will pursue the project in partnership with various semiconductor companies.

Ang did not provide details while Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla did not immediately respond to queries seeking his comment.

A source with knowledge of the matter said SMC had submitted a letter of interest to the Cavite government. However, it was unclear if a final proposal had been made.

A new manufacturing hub in Cavite, located south of Metro Manila, will provide a powerful economic boost and new jobs as Remulla seeks reelection in 2022.

SMC’s ambitious international airport and city complex in Bulacan province, north of the capital, will also benefit if Cavite decides to terminate plans for an International airport in Sangley Point after a failed rebidding process earlier this month.

Without the Sangley International Airport, SMC’s P740- billion Bulacan aerotropolis will be unchallenged in its bid to provide new capacity for Metro Manila after the Department of Transportation dropped the modernization of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) earlier this year.

Efforts to decongest Naia were also put on the back burner after air travel demand collapsed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, the Sangley International Airport suffered a fresh setback last week after no group showed up by the bid deadline.

“The second tender resulted in a failed bidding,” a source told the Inquirer.

Manuel V. Pangilinan-led Metro Pacific Investments Corp. confirmed in a stock exchange filing on Monday it was among the companies that initially signified interest but eventually backed out. INQ